Football 9/25/2025 11:40:00 AM Henry Coyle, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Salter Named Campbell Trophy National Semifinalist

DETROIT -- Wayne State University senior linebacker Quincy Salter (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) is the lone football student-athlete from the GLIAC to be named a national semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William Campbell Trophy as announced by the organization.

A 2025 captain, Salter has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) in each of his six semesters at WSU, posting a 4.00 GPA every term while pursuing a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science. The Livonia, Mich., native was inducted into Wayne State's inaugural Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society class and was the recipient of the WSU Football Scholar-Athlete Award during the 2024-25 academic year. Salter has totaled 49 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks in his time with the Warriors.

The Green and Gold student-athlete is one of six semifinalists that attend a Michigan institution. Central Michigan's Michael Heldman, Eastern Michigan's Jefferson Adam, Michigan's Greg Tarr, Michigan State's Sam Edwards, and Hillsdale's Hunter Sperling were recognized as well.

National Football Foundation William Campbell (Draddy) Trophy Semifinalists from Wayne State University
2006   Ryan Oshnock
2007   Frank Lietke
2008   Andrew Bates
2009   Bruno Shkreli
2010   Matt Faulkner
2011   Josh Renel
2012   Nick Thomas
2013   Chet Privett
2014   Thom Box
2015   Carl Roscoe
2016   Trent Brodbeck
2017   Manny Mendoza
2018   Drew Dowding
2019   Ryan Smith
2020   Lane Potter
2021   Lane Potter
2022   Julius Wilkerson*
2023 Drake Reid
2024 Griffin Milovanski
2025 Quincy Salter

*-National Finalist
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National Football Foundation Release

IRVING, Texas (Sept. 24, 2025) – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) proudly announced today a remarkable list of 177 semifinalists for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The impressive list of candidates, from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, boasts an impressive 3.60 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees.

Celebrating its 36th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

2025 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® SEMIFINALISTS NOTES

36th year of the William V. Campbell Trophy®
67th year of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments
177 Semifinalists
3.60 Average GPA
91 Nominees who have already earned their bachelor's degrees (including one player with three bachelor's degrees)
5 Nominees who have earned a master's degree (including one player with two master's degrees)
5 Nominees with a perfect 4.0 GPA
55 Nominees with a 3.8 GPA or better
74 Nominees with a 3.7 GPA or better
13 Academic All-America selections
111 Captains
20 All-Americans
94 All-Conference picks

"This year's 177 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy® stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level."

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 36th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and room rates at the Bellagio.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2025 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2025 season; have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

"We are honored to celebrate such an extraordinary group of student-athletes as semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy®," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Their accomplishments reflect the lasting impact of our game — building character, discipline, and leadership, extending far beyond football. Selecting finalists from this outstanding class will be a tremendous challenge, but it's a challenge that underscores the unique prestige of this award."

Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 67th year in 2025. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 938 outstanding individuals since the program's inception. This year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $13.2 million.

The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and nine first-round NFL draft picks. Click here for a list of the past winners of the trophy.

Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.

Fidelity Investments became the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in 2011, marking its 15th year of support in 2025. As part of its commitment to the NFF and higher education nationwide, Fidelity helped launch the NFF Faculty Salutes, which honor the faculty athletics representative (FAR) at each institution with a Campbell Trophy® finalist. Following the selection of the finalists, the NFF presents each school's FAR with a commemorative plaque, and Fidelity contributes $5,000 to the school's academic support services. Since the program's inception, the Salutes have recognized 198 FARs, with Fidelity providing a total of $990,000 in donations.

2025 Campbell Trophy® Semifinalists by Division and Position

78 Nominees from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
44 Nominees from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
15 Nominees from NCAA Division II
33 Nominees from NCAA Division III
7 Nominees from the NAIA
88 Offensive Players
75 Defensive Players
14 Special Teams Players

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Players Mentioned

#38 Griffin Milovanski: PK; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#44 Quincy Salter: MLB; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#38 Griffin Milovanski
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: PK

#44 Quincy Salter
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MLB

Players Mentioned

#38 Griffin Milovanski

#44 Quincy Salter

Players Mentioned

#38 Griffin Milovanski

#44 Quincy Salter